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FAQ’s
WHAT IS THE ST. JOSEPH AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE?
Originally formed in 1862 as the Board of Trade of St. Joseph,
the St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce has always been a
volunteer, member-supported organization dedicated to promoting
and maintaining a healthy economic climate for St. Joseph. The
Chamber is a non- profit organization with over 1,000 business
and individual members working together to make St. Joseph a
better place to live and work.
WHO RUNS THE ST. JOSEPH AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE?
The Chamber is governed by a Board of Directors
comprised of local business and community leaders. The Board is
made up of 18 elected directors and the President who serves as
a board member and as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Appointed
members include the Mayor of St. Joseph, the Buchanan County
Presiding Commissioner, general counsel, the immediate past
Chairman of the Board and a Diplomats Club representative.
WHEN ARE CHAMBER MEETINGS & ACTIVITIES HELD?
The Chamber has a variety of meetings, activities and
events that take place on a regular basis. The best place to
find out what is going on is to review the Calendar of Events
section in your monthly Connections newsletter or on the
Chamber’s Web site,
www.saintjoseph.com.
ARE MY EMPLOYEES ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN CHAMBER
ACTIVITIES? Your Chamber membership benefits everyone
in your company from support staff to corporate officers.
Participation is not limited to designated contact persons – all
employees of member businesses are encouraged to get involved.
Members are also encouraged to bring guests and potential
members with them to Chamber functions.
WHAT IS THE CHAMBER’S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CITY AND
COUNTY? The St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce
contracts with the City of St. Joseph and Buchanan County for
economic development activities. The contracts are reviewed and
renewed on an annual basis.
HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED ON A COMMITTEE? Sign up
for a committee, club or task force today by contacting the
Membership Services Department at 816/364-4107 or
leonard@saintjoseph.com.
The Chamber User’s Guide is designed to give members an overview
of all the available activities of the Chamber.
IS MY INVESTMENT IN THE CHAMBER TAX-DEDUCTIBLE?
Eighty-five percent of membership dues in the St. Joseph Area
Chamber of Commerce may be tax deductible as an ordinary and
necessary business expense. Dues paid to the Chamber are not a
charitable tax deduction for federal income tax purposes.
IS THE CHAMBER ACCREDITED? In 2004, the St.
Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce received its 30-year,
4-StarReaccreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The
Reaccreditation Program was established by the U.S. Chamber to
recognize chambers of commerce for effective organizational
procedures and outstanding contributions to positive change in
their communities.
To achieve accreditation, a chamber must meet minimum standards
in their operations and programs, including: areas of
governance, government affairs, and technology. The final
rating, Accredited, 3-Stars, 4-Stars, or 5-Stars, depends on the
chamber’s ability to successfully meet additional criteria,
including: accountability, financial transparency, employee
involvement, political advocacy, and community involvement. The
accrediting board, a panel of U.S. Chamber board members, votes
on the final accreditation.
The accreditation program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the
only one of its kind to monitor the dynamic chamber of commerce
industry. Rolled out in 1964, the program was developed by a
team of chamber executives and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for
continuous improvement of local chambers of commerce. |
